India: Administering a new business card for SAARC region nationals

The Ministry of Home Affairs is planning to issue an India Business Card to all members of the SAARC region (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan) as of 1 April, 2016, pending final published notification. This card will be a multi-entry, multi-city business visa valid for up to five years, per the applicant meeting requirements. The SAARC countries of Bhutan and Nepal will not require a visa to enter India.

The Netherlands: Authorities to publish results of immigration audits online

Effective 1 January 2016, the Dutch Labour Inspectorate is publishing results of all company audits, whether an infraction is found or not, on its web site.

Authorities look into issues involving wages, hired foreign nationals (correct/current documentation on file) and various other employment rules.
A company is alerted 30 days after being audited that the results will be published. If they are in disagreement with the findings, the company has 10 days to postpone the publishing, after which nothing will be posted until the court has made a final decision. All published audit results will remain online for three years and list the company name, address, date of and legal reason for the audit along with the findings.

United Kingdom: Points based calculator assessment tool to be replaced

On 6 April, 2016 the Points Based Calculator (PBC) Assessment Tool will no longer be accepted, per the Home Office, as it is difficult to maintain and is no longer cost effective. The PBC has been used to confirm points based visa applicants’ eligibility to work or study in the UK or determine if the language requirements have been met through an out-of-country academic degree.

The PBC will no longer be available online as of 10 April, 2016. Visa applicants will need to use a new online service provided by the UK National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC), available April 6, 2016.